Highlights From a Year of Traveling and Blogging

A year ago today, as the clock struck midnight, I excitedly raced home to hit the official launch button on a little site called Mapping Megan. My goal was, that if I could create something which would inspire others to travel the world; create something which would eventually help fund my travels, it would be a dream come true. This was a three year goal. Never did I imagine I would achieve it all in one.

These past twelve months have been a phenomenal rollercoaster ride of traveling and blogging. I no longer speak one particular language, and adrenalin has become part of my daily life. I no longer have a physical address or place to call home, and my time is measured in little moments. All of my worldly possessions fit into my suitcase; I am technically homeless and unemployed.

Through our blog we have made a fantastic array of friends from all over the world. Through our blog we have been given extraordinary opportunities to travel the world. Through our blog I have managed to establish myself as a travel writer, and through our blog we have been fortunate enough to share our amazing journey with the rest of the world. What a year!

These last 12 months have completely changed my life, and I have been overwhelmed with the support, encouragement, and kind words from every single one of you. The last year has seen us travel extensively throughout the United States, and to Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, Chile and Easter Island, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and the Faroe Islands!

We have had our blog recognized by companies such as Viator and Lonely Planet, and have had our writing and photos featured on over 100 different travel blogs and websites. And best yet, through our blog we actually managed to make money while traveling the world.

To my family, my friends, and everyone who has visited over the last 12 months, I send an incredible thankyou. Click play below to join us for a year’s worth of highlights from traveling and blogging, and here’s to another great year to come!

Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging around the world for the last 7 years to inspire others to embark on their own worldwide adventure! Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Amazing video, and what an incredible achievement to edit iTB down to 4 minutes, which looks great. You still need to travel to Alaska and New Zealand which are both amazing countries, but then I am slightly biased coming from NZ.
Enjoy your time in Arizona.

Congratulations! It’s inspiring to see what you’ve been able to accomplish in just one year. AMAZING. Looking forward to more posts and pictures, and wishing you continued success as you explore the world!

Great work girl! Amazing in just 1 year to have taken it so far. We’re same as you, just backpacks to our name and I think 15 months on the road now. Bit more tricky to be self supported by blogging when there are 4 of us and one blog, but working on it! Keep going, you’re doing a brilliant job.

Thanks Gerard! It’s definitely a lot of hard work – I was lucky (from a blog standpoint) in that when I immigrated to the US to live with Mike, it was 3 months before I had authorization to work. So I had a LOT of time to sit at home and build the blog and network etc.

I spent that time building my social media following by trying to be everywhere at once and being super active on each different platform. Commenting on other peoples blogs to let them know you’re there, guest posting on different blogs to widen your audience, all of that!

Give me an email if you like (meganjerrard@gmail.com) – I have a write up I send out to beginner bloggers with tips for how to grow your following and audience – there might be something useful for you to take away :)

Thanks Josh!! I launched this site as my first “professional” blog 12 months ago; though I started with a personal blog on blogger & then tumblr many, many years ago. The first 7 years it just mapped my travels on a day to day basis, just for family and friends and because writing was something I loved!

It used to be “Where in the World is Megan Claire”, which you can still find on Tumblr, but when I made the change to this self hosted website & created the brand “Mapping Megan” I imported all of my blog posts from prior years, so you can see everything here in one place!

So this is technically the anniversary of my first year of professional blogging!

Wow, what an exciting and inspiring video! The word jealous does not even cut it right now, I’m green with envy at everything you’ve done and achieved in the last year! Well done to you though, you really have turned dreams into reality!

Thanks Catherine!! So glad you enjoyed it! We’ve definitely had an action packed year and it’s been such a blast – though if I can do it so can you!! My main aim is to prove that dreams are within reach for anyone :D!

Thanks Matt! We hope 2015 holds amazing adventure for you as well, and will also be following for your updates! Happy New Year!

Ian Phillis
April 15, 2015

Congrats. Wish I were younger. However have not done too badly in the 60 range for countries. Love the language part as I want t be a traveler who bounds with locals.
Yes Alaska is nice but so is our north Yukon, NWT and Nunuvut. Of course the best place in the world is Vancouver Island.

Thanks Ian :) It’s been a truly phenomenal year. 60 countries is not bad at all! I’ve always been of the opinion that it’s not the number of countries which is important, but the quality of experiences which you enjoy along the way.

Bonding with locals is one of my favorite parts of travel also. So glad you enjoyed the video! We’re spending a bit of time in Vancouver Island in a few weeks actually and really looking forward to it. Stay tuned for photos and updates!